Maria strengthens into Category 1 hurricane

Hurricane Jose, Tropical Depression Lee and Tropical Storm Maria each bear watching for their potential impacts to the U.S.

Author:
Andrew Krietz , WTSP

Published:
7:06 AM EDT September 17, 2017

Updated:
4:45 AM EDT September 18, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- If you were wondering when the peak of hurricane season arrives, look no further than the present.

Actually, we're past peak by seven days. Sept. 10 is when there most likely is a tropical system in the Atlantic basin, so it should come as no surprise this is an active time of year.

For storm-weary Texans and Floridians, this isn't the best news: there are three storms churning across open water right now. Hurricane Jose, Tropical Depression Lee and Tropical Storm Maria each bear watching for their potential impacts to the U.S.

Hurricane Jose

This storm was a topic of discussion before Hurricane Irma made its two landfalls in Florida. It continues to meander off the East Coast as a 90-mph Category 1 hurricane.

Jose is moving north at 9 mph and will not affect land through mid-week. However, parts of Massachusetts' Cape Cod are in the National Hurricane Center's track, meaning the center of the storm could make landfall there.

Even if the storm does not make landfall, expect gusty winds and a high risk of rip currents as the storm churns up the ocean along the eastern seaboard.

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Tropical Depression Lee

There are no expectations at this time Lee will pose a great danger to the U.S. Lee is moving west at 8 mph as a weak, 35-mph tropical depression. There is a good amount of wind shear -- often a death knell of tropical cyclones as it helps to disorganize a storm.

Lee is forecast to weaken further or dissipate entirely toward the end of the week.

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Tropical Storm Maria

The islands already ravaged by Hurricane Irma again are under hurricane warnings in advance of Tropical Storm Maria, including Guadeloupe and Dominica. A hurricane watch is in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and others. Tropical storm warnings and watches also are in effect for neighboring islands.

Update as of 5:00 p.m. Sunday: Maria strengthens into a category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds at 75 mph and moving west-northwest at 15 mph. Hurricane Maria is currently 140 miles East-Northeast of Barbados and 275 miles East-Southeast of Dominica.

From there, it is too early to say when and if the storm makes a U.S. landfall. High waves and rip currents will be the most likely impact should Maria stay out to sea as early as next week.